Secretary of State John Kerry celebrates LGBT Pride Month

'No matter where you are, no matter who you love, we stand with you.'

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that the Department of State “joins the world in celebrating LGBT Pride Month” and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBT persons around the globe.

In a statement issued just one day after addressing the annual Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) Pride Celebration, Kerry said in a statement, “we have made marked progress in tearing down the unjust and unfair barriers that have prevented the full realization of the human rights of LGBT persons.”

“We know there is more to do, but here, the arc of history is bending towards justice,” he said.

On Thursday, Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride Event, noting the State Departments accomplishments for LGBT people under his tenure, praising Robyn McCutcheon, the first out transgender foreign service officer as well as Russian journalist Masha Gessen for her work exposing human rights abuses against LGBT people.

“No matter where you are, no matter who you love, we stand with you. And that’s what pride means, and that’s what drives us today,” said Kerry. “The journey isn’t complete, the march isn’t over, the promise isn’t perfected. But we will march on together.”

Kerry is the first Secretary of State to publicly support marriage equality while in office.